asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether he has yet approved of the regulations, referred to by him in reply to a question of the 23rd February, 1949, which will permit the housing department of the Dublin Corporation to make allocations of housing accommodation to newly-weds and eviction cases, and to those with one or two children who are at present debarred from consideration by the housing allocation department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing for Dublin Families.
Mr. A. Byrne
The regulations referred to are being prepared and, it is hoped, will be issued shortly to local authorities. I would like to point out to the Deputy, however, that Dublin Corporation already possess powers to enable them to allocate houses to the classes mentioned by him.
Mr. A. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that for the last five years the corporation have been sending out letters to people stating that they are awaiting Government sanction?
There is nothing to prevent the Dublin Corporation allocating houses on a provisional basis in anticipation of the regulations.
Mr. A. Byrne
My supplementary question is in reference to the statement made by the Minister to the effect that the corporation has power to deal with these classes. I say that they have not the power, that they are awaiting sanction. Now the people are left between the two.
I submit they have powers in anticipation of these schemes.
Can the Minister say whether, if the corporation utilise these powers, they will receive grants under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts?
That is the position.